Brooklyn Nets forward says he can’t control the rumours, but there was nothing fishy about his becoming a Net
Ever since Russian forward Andrei Kirilenko opted out of the final year of his contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves, worth a hefty $ 10.2 million, only to land at the Brooklyn Nets for a meagre contract of $ 3.18 million per
year, the rumour mills have been working overtime about the potential backdoor deal between the Nets and the Russian forward.
The Nets are owned by powerful Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov. The business tycoon also owns CSKA Moscow, for which Kirilenko had played in the recent past. So when the versatile forward took a near $ 7 million cut in his
pay to become a Net, there were many who wondered whether there was a side deal to cater for the money issue.
For Kirilenko though, the situation is a bit funny;
"As I said, those type of rumours, I can't control," Kirilenko said on a conference call with reporters Thursday. "I guess it comes from the history of Russia and the KGB. I don't know what that is, what it makes people think.
It makes it a little funny, but if it looks funny in those situations, what can I do?"
The main motivation of the 32 year old forward at this point of time is to win something which has eluded him throughout his career – the NBA championship.
"I think we've got everything you need to reach that goal. I'm very happy to be in New York, and I'm looking forward to start the season," he said.
Brooklyn has compiled a powerful roster this season. They already had the likes of Deron Williams and Brook Lopez in their lineup, and have bolstered it by bringing Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Jason Terry from Boston. Add to
it a powerful bench, led by Kirilenko, and Miami Heat might face their toughest competitor yet, come next season.
What the strength of the roster has also ensured though, is the introduction of Ak-47 off the bench. It is however something which the player seems absolutely fine with;
"I don't have problem to come off the bench," he said. "I never have an issue. In Utah, we always talked with Jerry Sloan about that. It's never been an issue, as long as you're playing 25 to 30 minutes a game."
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